The Handicraft Section is part of the Facilitation Division of the TDAP. The Section has been working to create a strong synergy between the artisan community and the TDAP. Many well-attended handicraft fairs were held in 2009 in eight of Pakistan’s bustling cities including Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Multan, Gujrat, Abbottabad, Gilgit and Muzaffarabad. Docu-films about the lives and work of handicraft workers were especially made to enable TDAP to recognize each craftsperson as a promotional motif to introduce Pakistan’s handicrafts and to also help the TDAP internally select the relevant craftspeople for an international delegation.

A handicraft web-link is therefore being developed so that orders from the international market can be received. The categories those are available include: Textiles( hand-woven, block-print, Tie and Die, Chundri & Embroidery), Jewelery, Bangles, Glass work, Metalwork, Carpets, Rugs and Durries, Pottery, Ceramics and Clay Toys, Basketry, Paper Mache products, Woodwork and furniture, Candles, Leather garments and accessories, and Cutlery.

During Expo Pakistan, a special handicraft hall is always set up that garnered a wonderful response from foreign visitors from different parts of the world. A handicraft show is also organized that displayed garments and accessories. TDAP is further exploring the participation of local Pakistani craftsmen in specific handicraft exhibitions and encouraging their participation in fairs in Russia, Central Asia, Middle-East, Europe as well as other countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia.

USA imports a wide range of ‘Made in Pakistan’ wall hangings and cushion covers and many other items “duty free”. A Handicraft Directory is being produced by TDAP, which is expected to come out in the calendar year 2012. This would include a list of artisans from the length and breadth of the country, along with their contacts and specialties. This Directory shall be distributed to all of the Pakistan’s Missions abroad. Special Training Workshops are being planned for Handicraft exporters, which are expected to commence in the year 2011 - 12.